Extended BF vs. Extended Bottle Feeding

I hope I'm doing okay with hot topics, LOL! Two posts in one day, Woop, woop!

This is for formula and Breast feeding mommas (see, I don't discriminate!)

What do you think of women who breastfeed past one year, do you think it is "socially acceptable"? If so, then what do you think of a woman who has an older child (1 yr. plus) feeding their child through a bottle?

My doctor told us that he expected Camden to be off the bottle by 13 months, although he was off at around a year, I wondered why it isn't ok (or isn't "socially acceptable" for mommas of bottle feed babies to continue bottle feeding, but is okay for mommas breastfeeding to continue breastfeeding?

I understand that feeding through a bottle throughout the night etc. can cause tooth decay, but what about the babies who don't drink their bottle throughout the night?

What are your feelings on the matter?

I hope I'm doing okay with hot topics, LOL! Two posts in one day, Woop, woop!

This is for formula and Breast feeding mommas (see, I don't discriminate!)

What do you think of women who breastfeed past one year, do you think it is "socially acceptable"? If so, then what do you think of a woman who has an older child (1 yr. plus) feeding their child through a bottle?

My doctor told us that he expected Camden to be off the bottle by 13 months, although he was off at around a year, I wondered why it isn't ok (or isn't "socially acceptable" for mommas of bottle feed babies to continue bottle feeding, but is okay for mommas breastfeeding to continue breastfeeding?

I understand that feeding through a bottle throughout the night etc. can cause tooth decay, but what about the babies who don't drink their bottle throughout the night?

1.)Babies use completely different muscles to suck from a bottle as they do the breast. Also, the breast is a soft, pliable tissue that forms to the baby's mouth.

2.) Milk only comes out of a breast if the baby sucks. So, if you have a baby fall asleep on your breast, they aren't getting any milk. Milk will continually drip out of a bottle. Also, as long as you brush a baby's teeth after eating solids, they can nurse all night without tooth decay according to a new study because BM itself has antibiotic properties. (Not that I want my 12 month old to nurse through the night, but sometimes he has other plans!)

Two reasons that I can offer:

1.)Babies use completely different muscles to suck from a bottle as they do the breast. Also, the breast is a soft, pliable tissue that forms to the baby's mouth.

2.) Milk only comes out of a breast if the baby sucks. So, if you have a baby fall asleep on your breast, they aren't getting any milk. Milk will continually drip out of a bottle. Also, as long as you brush a baby's teeth after eating solids, they can nurse all night without tooth decay according to a new study because BM itself has antibiotic properties. (Not that I want my 12 month old to nurse through the night, but sometimes he has other plans!)

I'm glad that helped. I struggled hard with the sippy change too. It was the very last thing that was keeping him "little" in my eyes.

And just wait...last night I had 2 one year olds cuddled in my bed with me asleep on either side. My son hasn't slept with me since he was 6 months old. I fell asleep and woke up in pure bliss. No matter how big that they get they will always ALWAYS be our babies. (Now if only I could believe that 100%) But then again he woke me up by saying "Hi Mommy's nose" and sticking his finger in it. :)

I'm glad that helped. I struggled hard with the sippy change too. It was the very last thing that was keeping him "little" in my eyes.

And just wait...last night I had 2 one year olds cuddled in my bed with me asleep on either side. My son hasn't slept with me since he was 6 months old. I fell asleep and woke up in pure bliss. No matter how big that they get they will always ALWAYS be our babies. (Now if only I could believe that 100%) But then again he woke me up by saying "Hi Mommy's nose" and sticking his finger in it. :)

My personal feeling is that when a child can ask for breastmilk by name, it is then time to wean, or at least wean from straight from the breast feeding to breastmilk in a cup. I BF until 15 months or so, and my milk dried up due to a combination of reasons. DD was HUGE and I was starting to feel uncomfortable feeding her that way.

Bottle feeding......well, DD had a bottle until just after he second birthday. Only at bedtime with water or if she was sick from 15 months to time of bottle bye-bye. Milk was in sippy cups.

My personal feeling is that when a child can ask for breastmilk by name, it is then time to wean, or at least wean from straight from the breast feeding to breastmilk in a cup. I BF until 15 months or so, and my milk dried up due to a combination of reasons. DD was HUGE and I was starting to feel uncomfortable feeding her that way.

Bottle feeding......well, DD had a bottle until just after he second birthday. Only at bedtime with water or if she was sick from 15 months to time of bottle bye-bye. Milk was in sippy cups.

I think that the main reason why doc say to forfit the bottle by 12 mo or 18 mo is because that is when the baby teeth are all in, it is also a time where the adult teeth are under the baby ones pushing their way up. The tongue helps push those adult teeth into place, if sucking continues, it forces teeth inward and not up, causing lots of problems with the adult teeth surfacing. Also there is a fact of "baby bottle mouth/teeth" a sort of tooth decay for babies who are exposed to sugary drinks (juice, sorts drinks, kool-aid) in their bottles.

But in all reality, it really doesnt matter if a baby has a bottle at night or whenever, I see it only bad if the child is say over 2 1/2, because at that point they are way capable of using a cup.

My baby is 17 mo, she gets a bottle of water to drink at night, she barely drinks any of it, she mostly holds it for comfort all night. And I think that is ok, as long as she sleeps well.

As for longterm BFers, do it if you want, I could care less! Though I think that there is a point in time where the baby must evolve into a grown child an independent one, which probably means not suckling on mom's breasts anymore.

I think that the main reason why doc say to forfit the bottle by 12 mo or 18 mo is because that is when the baby teeth are all in, it is also a time where the adult teeth are under the baby ones pushing their way up. The tongue helps push those adult teeth into place, if sucking continues, it forces teeth inward and not up, causing lots of problems with the adult teeth surfacing. Also there is a fact of "baby bottle mouth/teeth" a sort of tooth decay for babies who are exposed to sugary drinks (juice, sorts drinks, kool-aid) in their bottles.

But in all reality, it really doesnt matter if a baby has a bottle at night or whenever, I see it only bad if the child is say over 2 1/2, because at that point they are way capable of using a cup.

My baby is 17 mo, she gets a bottle of water to drink at night, she barely drinks any of it, she mostly holds it for comfort all night. And I think that is ok, as long as she sleeps well.

As for longterm BFers, do it if you want, I could care less! Though I think that there is a point in time where the baby must evolve into a grown child an independent one, which probably means not suckling on mom's breasts anymore.

I don't know. Most doctors seem to expect you to stop BFing at 12 months. I'm BFing past 12 months even though everyone but my mom thinks I'm crazy. So I'm not sure it's entirely different extending past 12 months whether you're BFing or bottle at least where I live. I know BFing supporters say extended breastfeeding is good but that's not really the impression I get from the general public.

I don't know. Most doctors seem to expect you to stop BFing at 12 months. I'm BFing past 12 months even though everyone but my mom thinks I'm crazy. So I'm not sure it's entirely different extending past 12 months whether you're BFing or bottle at least where I live. I know BFing supporters say extended breastfeeding is good but that's not really the impression I get from the general public.

"I'm not talking about the why, or nutrition reason, I am talking about the method. Sucking through a bottle is unacceptable after a certain age, but sucking through a breast is not unacceptable for the most part.

Breast and bottle are similar, because the baby recieve liquid through sucking, but my question is, why is it okay for a child to drink through a breast, but not a nipple on a bottle after a certain age. They are similar in the fact that it is sucking to recieve norishment.

And yes, I know BF babies recieve other nourishment through different liquids also =)"

I think that it has to do with milestones of drinking through sippy cups and showing coordination and such. In the thread that I had with extended BF mothers - most of them only nursed once a day instead of all day. Which is different from a child that is drinking from a bottle still.

Also the breast sucking is more natural than the bottle sucking. Which again can lead back to dental and jaw issues that people are trying to avoid.

"I'm not talking about the why, or nutrition reason, I am talking about the method. Sucking through a bottle is unacceptable after a certain age, but sucking through a breast is not unacceptable for the most part.

Breast and bottle are similar, because the baby recieve liquid through sucking, but my question is, why is it okay for a child to drink through a breast, but not a nipple on a bottle after a certain age. They are similar in the fact that it is sucking to recieve norishment.

And yes, I know BF babies recieve other nourishment through different liquids also =)"

I think that it has to do with milestones of drinking through sippy cups and showing coordination and such. In the thread that I had with extended BF mothers - most of them only nursed once a day instead of all day. Which is different from a child that is drinking from a bottle still.

Also the breast sucking is more natural than the bottle sucking. Which again can lead back to dental and jaw issues that people are trying to avoid.

I see the two as equivalents when it comes to bottle verses breast for method of feeding(like the op stated, when the substance being given is not being discussed). I have used the reverse senario with my in-laws in defense of extended BF when it was okay by their point of view for a 2 year old to be drinking milk from a bottle, but not my (at the time) 1 year old to be nursing.

Now I do have an issue with any parent not introducing a cup and solely depending on a bottle or breast to provide what liquids the child drinks. That said, I have seen many families that continue to use the bottle out of convenience and to avoid the "mess" of teaching their child to drink from a cup, when I have not observed this attitude with extended breastfeeding.

I can see the possiblity that the shapes and materials bottles are made out of being shown to cause issues with oral development, but do not know that this is true. If so then that would be the only reason I could see for the discrepency.

Laura

I have not finished reading the other posts, but this is my thought.

I see the two as equivalents when it comes to bottle verses breast for method of feeding(like the op stated, when the substance being given is not being discussed). I have used the reverse senario with my in-laws in defense of extended BF when it was okay by their point of view for a 2 year old to be drinking milk from a bottle, but not my (at the time) 1 year old to be nursing.

Now I do have an issue with any parent not introducing a cup and solely depending on a bottle or breast to provide what liquids the child drinks. That said, I have seen many families that continue to use the bottle out of convenience and to avoid the "mess" of teaching their child to drink from a cup, when I have not observed this attitude with extended breastfeeding.

I can see the possiblity that the shapes and materials bottles are made out of being shown to cause issues with oral development, but do not know that this is true. If so then that would be the only reason I could see for the discrepency.

Thats what I was thinking if a child only had the bottle with a meal or at a certain time and them it was taken away when finnished I dont think it would do so much damage in the mouth and wouldnt be bad.I agree with PP tho that 3 or 4 is a little older and I personally wouldnt let either bottle or breast go that far.My Cut off is going to be 2yrs but I dont look down on others for another choice as long as no one tells me what to do..=)

Thats what I was thinking if a child only had the bottle with a meal or at a certain time and them it was taken away when finnished I dont think it would do so much damage in the mouth and wouldnt be bad.I agree with PP tho that 3 or 4 is a little older and I personally wouldnt let either bottle or breast go that far.My Cut off is going to be 2yrs but I dont look down on others for another choice as long as no one tells me what to do..=)

Yes, because you are still getting immunities from BM. Not to mention, if you have a picky toddler who has troubles getting veggies, they are still getting nutrients from your milk. BM should in no way be a toddler's main source of calories or food. Henry still nurses a lot for eating solids and drinking cow's milk - he still nurses about 5 times a day. But, most extended nursers are only nursing 1-2 times a day, so it is purely supplemental, but there are still benefits.

Yes, because you are still getting immunities from BM. Not to mention, if you have a picky toddler who has troubles getting veggies, they are still getting nutrients from your milk. BM should in no way be a toddler's main source of calories or food. Henry still nurses a lot for eating solids and drinking cow's milk - he still nurses about 5 times a day. But, most extended nursers are only nursing 1-2 times a day, so it is purely supplemental, but there are still benefits.

Natalie, proud Mommy to Henry (born 12/26/08) and Madeleine (born 5/25/11).

From:
CKilr03

To: ImmortalOne

Posted: Jan-09 09:17 PM (16 of 78)

I understand, but even some bottle fed babies only get a bottle before bed, or a bottle in the a.m. etc. and the rest is in a sippy. For example, Camden has been drinking water from a sippy since he was around 6 months old, and then, he had his formula in a sippy every once in a while also. He still took his bottle though, because he wasn't drinking much in his sippy cup.

Say the breastfed baby gets 3 sippys a day, and breast in the a.m. and p.m., and the bottle fed baby gets 3 sippys a day, and bottle in a.m. and p.m.--that would mean they'd be equally coordinated, right?

I understand, but even some bottle fed babies only get a bottle before bed, or a bottle in the a.m. etc. and the rest is in a sippy. For example, Camden has been drinking water from a sippy since he was around 6 months old, and then, he had his formula in a sippy every once in a while also. He still took his bottle though, because he wasn't drinking much in his sippy cup.

Say the breastfed baby gets 3 sippys a day, and breast in the a.m. and p.m., and the bottle fed baby gets 3 sippys a day, and bottle in a.m. and p.m.--that would mean they'd be equally coordinated, right?

I am okay with extended BF (I don't think I'd ever personally go past a year, but if others want to go longer, I don't care) but I HATE seeing toddlers walking around with bottles! I was that Momma that packed up all of Jordyn's bottles on her first birthday and haven't looked back. She does just fine with a sippy cup. It doesn't matter what you put in the cup (milk, formula, BM, water) it can deliver it just fine. Obviously extended BF is done because they aren't pumping & putting it in a cup or whatever - that is fine, it's natural. But I just really have issues with older kids having bottles...

I am okay with extended BF (I don't think I'd ever personally go past a year, but if others want to go longer, I don't care) but I HATE seeing toddlers walking around with bottles! I was that Momma that packed up all of Jordyn's bottles on her first birthday and haven't looked back. She does just fine with a sippy cup. It doesn't matter what you put in the cup (milk, formula, BM, water) it can deliver it just fine. Obviously extended BF is done because they aren't pumping & putting it in a cup or whatever - that is fine, it's natural. But I just really have issues with older kids having bottles...

To tell you the honest truth- I really don't understand why everyone else has an opinion (and usually a very strong one) on what other people should or should not do with their own children (with the exception of abuse of course). I think a mom wants to have a four year old who is still taking a bottle, or nursing- that is her business and we should just let her enjoy/ suffer the consequences which ever it may be, that she has caused. I really don't have a problem with either scenario, mostly because I figure, it's their kid, let them do what they want. I guess I carry that attitude to a point though- if the kid is 7 or 8 and still nursing or drinking from a bottle- then I would definitely wonder what was wrong with that situation. It's funny how a certain age is stuck in my head as being the point of unacceptability- maybe we all have the same view, and it's just a matter of what age we draw the line at.

To tell you the honest truth- I really don't understand why everyone else has an opinion (and usually a very strong one) on what other people should or should not do with their own children (with the exception of abuse of course). I think a mom wants to have a four year old who is still taking a bottle, or nursing- that is her business and we should just let her enjoy/ suffer the consequences which ever it may be, that she has caused. I really don't have a problem with either scenario, mostly because I figure, it's their kid, let them do what they want. I guess I carry that attitude to a point though- if the kid is 7 or 8 and still nursing or drinking from a bottle- then I would definitely wonder what was wrong with that situation. It's funny how a certain age is stuck in my head as being the point of unacceptability- maybe we all have the same view, and it's just a matter of what age we draw the line at.

Extended bf isn't pointless, because it benefits the child. Extended bottle feeding doesn't. (Not saying it hurts them, it just doesn't benefit them). By 12 months, a child should be able to drink from a sippy so there is no reason for a bottle.

Extended bf isn't pointless, because it benefits the child. Extended bottle feeding doesn't. (Not saying it hurts them, it just doesn't benefit them). By 12 months, a child should be able to drink from a sippy so there is no reason for a bottle.

It is strange to me too, that these ages are put into our heads as to what is acceptable!

Now, I've seen a 5 year old (or close to/over that age) in a stroller laying down with a binky in his mouth at Babies R Us, and he even spoke to me, and spoke fine-there was no obvious retardation/disablity, now THAT really blew my mind! Hehe!

It is strange to me too, that these ages are put into our heads as to what is acceptable!

Now, I've seen a 5 year old (or close to/over that age) in a stroller laying down with a binky in his mouth at Babies R Us, and he even spoke to me, and spoke fine-there was no obvious retardation/disablity, now THAT really blew my mind! Hehe!

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